Iran is a mighty nation. In fact, historically, Iran is a powerful, far-stretching empire that once encompassed much of the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. Even as it stands today, Iran is almost as large as Western Europe, minus the United Kingdom. Moreover, Iran's multi-ethnic population is unofficially estimated to have exceeded 80 million. And more importantly, Iran is a nation that gives birth to marvelous, highly creative minds.

Yet, in spite of Iran's well-known might, it's regime never ceases its deliberate saber-rattling. Most recently, during an interview aired by the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) and al-Alam TV IRGC Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi fired a volley of belligerent statements aimed overtly at the United States and subtly at Iran's neighbors across the Gulf.

Admiral Fadavi declared to his interviewer and domestic and international audiences, "You may have footage of the daily interaction between us and our enemies -- the Americans and their allies -- in the Persian Gulf." But, who are these allies of the Americans and "enemies" of Iran? Are these not countries such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which the Iranian regime ideologues allege is occupying Mecca and Medina unlawfully?

Fadavi went on to explain the concept of deterrence: "The Americans are incapable of doing anything undetected by the hawk-eyes of the fighters of 'Islam.' They know better than ever before that they must not even think about initiating any confrontation against the 'Islamic Revolution.' That's what deterrence is all about."

Fadavi also asserted that "Nobody in America -- no political or military official -- even thinks, thinks, with a single brain cell about war with the 'Islamic Revolution.'" Somehow Fadavi chose to ignore the incredibly costly budget of the U.S. Department of Defense and the the thousands of Pentagon officials, officers and civilians contractors whose very job is to constantly devise and update plans to subdue America's adversaries, including Iran. And not to mention the numerous think tanks dedicated to combating the Iranian regime's ideology, strategic plans, and nuclear ambitions.

Fadavi also missed or chose to ignore an important geopolitical reality: Why would the United States bother to wage war on Iran when Iran is now bogged down in an endless Shiite versus Sunni sectarian war? To the contrary, the U.S. is openly but indirectly helping the Iranian regime and its allies and proxies, including the Assad regime and Hezbollah, in sectarian civil war theaters such as Iraq, Syria and even Lebanon (where Hezbollah is battling Daesh (a.k.a., ISIL; ISIS; 'Islamic State;' and IS) in the eastern Beqaa Valley).

Fadavi also boasted about his forces' new secret "strategic" naval weapon, which is most likely a submarine-launched torpedo. That should remain as the wonder of the ages in the imagination of the Iranian regime's devotees and fans until one day the secret is exposed. It is then that the world shall learn about yet another North Korean, Chinese or Russian weapon acquired by the Iranian regime but optimized by its scientists, and renamed by its Khomeinist mullahs.

Ultimately, Fadavi's aggressive hype is meant to swing the oil markets and increase oil prices (and hopefully recover the cost of the mock Hollywood-type aircraft carrier blasted by his forces in the Gulf). But, more importantly, Fadavi's aim is to manipulate the minds of gullible domestic and international Shiite mobs with intoxicating talks about power-matching the United States and secret special weapons that are neither special nor secret.

While the oil markets' reaction to such bellicose propaganda is short-lived, the imprint created in the popular mind is long-lasting. This does indeed create deterrence to domestic unrest and guarantees more peaceful nights to a privileged class of special treatment-craving mullahs and Pasdaran militants that have hijacked an entire country and with it much of the Middle East.

Islamic law -- particularly under Ja'fary jurisprudence -- prohibits Muslims from using impure water, including treated wastewater. Indeed, matters of purity and impurity are fundamental matters in Islam. In areas where pure natural water is relatively scarce, Islamic water-purity regulations are sure to have an economic impact, just like the rules that forbid Muslims from, say, consuming Haram meat and engaging in Haram sex.

Usually, it is not unexpected that the mainstream Islamic beliefs on the Minor Struggle (i.e., military Jihad) would come under the heavy scrutiny of concerned observers and those impacted by the Jihad. However, criticizing Islam's essential water-purity rules is an unnecessary interference in the lifestyle of the Muslims, for such matters are the domain of deeply learned, recognized and trusted Islamic scholars.

Yet, it must be noted that those who wish to express an impactful opinion on this important matter should properly research the subject matter first. The prohibition on the usage of treated wastewater is not absolute, for such water can be rendered pure by mixing it with larger bodies of natural pure water. Thus, water can purify water and the overwhelmingly positive can alter the properties of the relatively negligible negative.

People from various religious groups invest heavily on continuous basis to abide by their spiritual regulations. Some people eat cow meat unconditionally; others eat only Kosher or Halal cow meat; yet, some others don't eat cows at all and worship them instead. Such are the matters of religion and they always have economic impact of some sort.

Where there are water shortages among Muslims, the solution for them is not to use impure -- and therefore Haram -- water. Instead, they should invest in proper water solutions that meet both their spiritual and worldly needs: Wastewater treatment combined with the necessary purification with natural water.

To the Muslim mind, there are indeed valid worldly and spiritual reasons for requiering tahara (Arabic for purity), but explaining these is certainly irrelevant. Therefore, overbearing scrutiny of such innocuous Islamic practices risks becoming an open intolerance of Islam and the Muslims. And this contradicts the freedom of religion principles championed and guaranteed by secular Western societies.

Did Hezbollah's three years of war experience in Syria improve its combat capabilities but also drain it?

Hezbollah’s constant brag about alleged improved combat abilities due to the terror entity’s interference in and occupation of Syria are meant for primarily propaganda purposes. Hezbollah’s war capabilities were already excellent prior to the Syrian civil war. Indeed, the 2006 War between Israel and Hezbollah clearly demonstrated the latter’s superb combat prowess.

Moreover, one must not separate Hezbollah from Iran -- historically a major world power -- for they are organically-linked. Iranian commanders are already highly experienced with large deployments and siege warfare. These same commanders can and do lead Hezbollah combat formations in Lebanon and Syria. The presence of high-ranking Iranian Pasdaran (Guard; a metonym for ​Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, or IRGC) officers along with Hezbollah cadres was highlighted on January 18, 2015, when Israel attacked a joint Pasdaran-Hezbollah leadership convoy in Mazraat Amal, near Quneitra, Syria. The attack resulted in the killing of several high profile Hezbollah members as well as IRGC Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi.

The intent of Hezbollah propagandists is to keep their entity’s Shiite embracing environment in Lebanon emotionally charged and attempt to convince former and any remaining Sunni-Arab supporters that combat in Syria provides the war skills necessary to inevitably defeat Israel and, in the words of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, conquer “Galilee and beyond Galilee.”

Shiite communities are historically inherently conditioned to tolerate very heavy losses to both lives and properties, for the suffering and sacrifices of Ahlulbayt (the Household of Prophet Muhammad), particularly the Third Infallible Imam, al-Husayn ibn Ali, in Karbala, Iraq, are remembered by many Shiites on daily basis.